Holiday Of The Native Language In KBSU

On the eve of the International Day of the Native Language, the Center for Balkarian Culture. Kerim Otarov in conjunction with the library of the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after H. M. Berebekov held a competition «Millet Haznabyz» (The wealth of the people).

Pupils from the village of Kendelen, schoolchildren from New Balkaria, Zhanhoteko and Nalchik competed in the knowledge of folklore and ancient traditions of the Balkar people.

Children expressively read proverbs, poems, dramatized folk tales, vied with each other to solve riddles. And then the guys showed an old folk rite, which is observed even now — the swaddling rite.

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Forty days after the birth of a baby, a large celebration is organized in the family, various dishes are prepared, guests come with gifts, and during feasts sports events take place, for example, rope pulling.

An important part of the tradition lies in a certain respect for the baby: In order for the child to sleep well, a cat is placed under the bassinet, an amulet is hung from the eye of the head of the bed. If the baby is a boy, a knife is put under the mattress, and if the girl is scissors.

The mother-in-law lulls the child and wishes him happiness. Anyone who says good wishes, give gifts. And neighbors are handing meat patties. The side of the daughter-in-law presents the mother-in-law and the one who gave the name to the baby. Balkarians have a saying: “He who called the name put him on a horse,” therefore, the one who called the child should have given him a foal.

Young participants of the “Millet Haznabyz” contest very artistically demonstrated this ancient rite and bribed the jury with their directness. There were no losers in the competition. Each team received a two-volume book of Karachay-Balkarian fairy tales as a prize. And all the children were presented with personal certificates, children’s books, pens, and notebooks with the KBSU logo.